There was a satisfying snap as the ballista crews finished drawing their weapons and allowed the strings to rest on the triggers. “Halt!” bawled a voice from behind Uvoren. Irritated, the captain swung around, a remonstration already building in his throat. The only sound he uttered was a slight hiss as the breath escaped his lungs. His mouth fell open. Five hundred warriors stood behind the Great Gate, swords drawn and armoured in plate and mail. They held three banners at their head, the emblems described in cream on a background of black cloth. On the left, a serpent devouring the roots of
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